Las Vegas — Forget the Devil, Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman struck a contract with one another. Ten years after creating an all-time WrestleMania moment, Rollins wrote what may be the most important chapter of his career.
Rollins famously cashed in his Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 31 to steal the WWE championship from former partner Roman Reigns. A decade later, he and Heyman planned another theft. On Saturday, Heyman betrayed his close friends CM Punk and Reigns by siding with “The Architect.”
WrestleMania 41 concluded on a high note, but it’s difficult to overlook how insipid the night overall felt. Jey Uso ultimately became world heavyweight champion, which was possibly the evening’s only important news.
Jey Uso finishes his underdog story by finally overcoming Gunther
The online community dissatisfied with Uso’s rise was not represented at Allegiant Stadium. The nearly 50,000 spectators in attendance had fully bought into Uso’s underdog story. Gunther had defeated Uso in three prior singles matches.
That domination was evident early and often on Saturday. Throughout the battle, the defending champion chopped, powerbombed, and painstakingly punished his opponent. Uso’s body was harmed, but his spirit remained unaffected. The crowd went crazy every time Uso battled back, “Yeeting” in approval.
Uso nearly scored an upset with a Uso splash, but Gunther kicked out. Once “The Ring General” gained control, he thwacked Uso with the belt and ridiculed him with his own splash. Karma would eventually provide his hubris a receipt.
Uso countered Gunther’s powerbomb with his own. Following three consecutive Uso splashes, Uso used Gunther’s rear-naked choke against him. Gunther furiously tapped to his own capitulation as the crowd cheered for Uso’s big moment. Jimmy Uso appeared after the match to hug and celebrate with his brother.
Several WWE superstars recently stated that professional wrestling is about generating moments. Uso did just that. The live audience supported Uso’s ascension, and it’s difficult not to enjoy his crowning triumph after nearly two decades, even if the match wasn’t particularly exciting and the finish felt fragmented. Uso defeated Gunther to win the title. Grade: B+
The New Day runs off with the victory
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have earned another tag team championship to The New Day’s impressive resume. The savvy veterans used every trick in the book to grab the titles from the Viking Raiders. Erik and Ivar are outstanding athletes.
Their movement is quick, and their blows are powerful despite their small. They dominated New Day for the most part, but couldn’t do enough to secure the victory. Kingston and Woods defeated Ivar with a double stomp, backbreaker combination. Kingston unlawfully held down Ivar’s foot while Woods executed the pinfall. The New Day seized the world tag team championship from ringside and dashed to the entranceway to celebrate.
The sides played a terrific contest, but Allegiant Stadium was quiet. The build was minimal, Raw’s tag team scene is boring, and WWE waited far too long after New Day’s betrayal of Big E before pushing them. New Day defeated Viking Raider to win the global tag team championships. Grade: C+
Jade Cargill makes Naomi pay
Saturday was cathartic for Cargill. Naomi, who had been put on the bench by her old buddy for months, was eventually caught up in the storm. Cargill quickly knocked Naomi down and began to shower blows. Cargill’s strength advantage was clear, but Naomi’s quickness and experience closed the gap for much of the match. Naomi downed Cargill face-first with a vicious X-Factor ringside punch before deploying a variety of control positions.
Cargill showcased her strength by catching Naomi mid-air for a suplex and standing up while bound in a Regal Stretch. Naomi performed an amazing twist into a top rope bulldog, which brought their strengths together. The finale was physically amazing, if disjointed.
Cargill lifted Naomi onto her shoulders, popped her up into a powerbomb, and chained it into her Jaded finisher. The spots were decently done, but there were too many miscommunications and clunky transitions that drew you out of the moment. Cargill defeated Naomi by pinfall. Grade: C+
‘The Samoan Werewolf’ Jacob Fatu takes the United States title off LA Knight’s bones
Fatu’s reputation as possibly the WWE’s most fearsome physical force is well-deserved. “The Samoan Werewolf” repeatedly mauled Knight during their United States title match. Knight, the defending champion, got off to a bad start as Fatu destroyed him with a pop-up Samoan drop.
Knight’s quickness and awareness were essential for staying competitive, but every time he gained momentum, he was knocked back down. Knight achieved his greatest success by staying in Fatu’s face. Knight’s most memorable moves included a crucifix bomb, a pop-up elbow drop, and an avalanche back suplex.
The superstars almost misled the audience into believing the underdog champion would win. Knight effectively neutralized Fatu’s jump-up moonsault with a BFT. Fatu’s only source of relief was the ropes within reach. Fatu finished things off with a top rope Samoan drop and a pair of jump-up moonsaults. Haku celebrates after the match with his relative Fatu.
This was the greatest match of the night thus far. Fatu is extremely fascinating in the ring, and Knight’s sports entertainment flair works well in large matches. Fatu defeated Knight to win the United States title. Grade: B+
El Grande Americano scores a grande victory against Rey Fenix
Rey Mysterio’s injury was disappointing, but it set the stage for Fenix’s WrestleMania debut. Fenix and Americano put together an excellent match, complete with sharp moments and flawless execution. The match was preceded by an interesting cameo appearance. El Hijo del Vikingo of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide kicked Americano in the face during a ringside confrontation.
WWE announced today that it had acquired the long-running Mexican professional wrestling promotion. The most memorable spot went to Americano, who performed a dangerous-looking reverse 450 splash. Americano won by putting a steel plate behind his mask. Fenix’s spectacular rope walk soccer kick backfired as he injured his foot against Americano’s steel plate.
A headbutt knocked Fenix down cold, and a flying head butt completed the deal. Vikingo assisted Fenix in getting to his feet following the match. The match was excellent, but there was little incentive for viewers to care about the improvised match. There is also a natural limit to the Americano comic shtick. Americano defeated Fenix via pinfall. Grade: B.
‘Tiffy time’ cuts Charlotte Flair’s momentum short
On SmackDown, Flair and Tiffany Stratton’s microphone confrontation turned chaotic. It gave the appearance that there were genuine issues between the two. When the match began, the opponents embraced that storyline by throwing fists. The brawl spread immediately outside of the ring. When they returned to the ropes, Flair’s experience took control.
The 14-time women’s world champion caught Stratton, a first-time champion, in a variety of submission grips, chopped her mercilessly, and insulted her repeatedly. Flair demonstrated a few new twists, the most spectacular of which was the Batista Bomb. She also channeled Stephanie Vaquer. Stratton’s tenacity and determination were her strongest weapons.
Stratton was most effective when angry, but only in brief bursts. Stratton eventually planted Flair long enough to finish her out with the prettiest moonsault ever. Every time the match appeared to be gathering up speed, it struggled to get into gear. Stratton defeated Flair to retain the title. Grade: C.
Seth Rollins wins career-defining match as Paul Heyman turns on CM Punk and Roman Reigns
Punk main eventing his first WrestleMania and reconciling with Heyman were big storylines leading up to the match. WWE went over and above to commemorate the occasion. Punk enjoyed a career retrospective video package set to the tune of his original theme song, “This Fire Burns.” Punk walked to a live performance of Living Color’s “Cult of Personality,” accompanied by his real-life buddy and mentor Heyman, who kissed his forehead. Reigns removed his Ula Fala to begin the match, but not before giving his Wiseman, Heyman, a cold look for siding with Punk.
Months of bad blood erupted once the match began. The action immediately spread outside and into the throng. Punk pushed a steel chair between Rollins’ ribs, breaking it off his back. They continued to brawl into the crowd until Reigns soared over the barricade like Superman and defeated them.
Reigns continued to impose his will on his opponents, hitting Punk with a running Samoan drop and grounding Rollins with a Superman punch off the springboard.
Punk was clearly enjoying himself during the procedure. He smiled after striking Reigns and Rollins with a combined DDT and neckbreaker, although the smile appeared to be about the occasion rather than the maneuver.
Rollins took the longest to gain his feet. He was frequently targeted, including by Reigns and Punk with a Doomsday Device. Outgunned, “The Architect” correctly chose his positions. Rollins nearly snatched the win with a frog splash, while Punk trapped Reigns in an Anaconda Vice.
Rollins began picking apart his opponents after they had exhausted themselves. Rollins nearly won again by catching Reigns in mid-spear with a vicious Pedigree. The close calls persisted as the three racers exchanged finishers.
The crowd erupted in applause when Reigns and Rollins looked to reassemble The Shield long enough to send Punk through the announcers’ table. Reigns, ever vengeful, instead fractured Rollins’ jaw and finished the powerbomb solo.
Heyman eventually made an appearance after another long stretch of finishers and nearfalls. Heyman brought out a steel chair and, forced to pick between Pun
k and Reigns, slid it to Punk. When Punk attempted to utilize the chair, Heyman smacked him with a low blow. Heyman was plainly disturbed by his decision, whilst Reigns was pleased. “The Original Tribal Chief” beat Punk with the chair. Reigns turned away from Heyman, focusing on Rollins instead. Reigns suffered the same betrayal at the hands of Wiseman.
Heyman delivered a low blow to Reigns and handed the chair to Rollins. Rollins hit Reigns in the back, reminiscent of how he betrayed him in 2014. A follow-up stomp clinched Rollins’ biggest win of his career. Heyman stood firm by Rollins’ side throughout his career-defining moment. The bout was flawlessly executed, from Punk’s entrance to the surprising conclusion. Rollins defeated Reigns and Punk via pinfall. Grade: A+
